Played some snaps at defensive end during spring practice and could see some action there this year ... Has seen the majority of starting assignments at strongside linebacker the last two seasons ... Has made progress each year he has been at UK, playing more consistently ... Appeared in 36 career games, earning 14 starting nods ... Has 92 tackles as a Wildcat, including a single-game best of eight stops against Arkansas in 2007.

2007 (Junior): Had 43 tackles, best of his career ... Struggled with a foot injury during the season, missing the LSU game because of the condition ... Set a career high with eight tackles against Arkansas and also broke up his first career pass ... Led the Kentucky defense with seven tackles against Eastern Kentucky.

2006 (Sophomore): Totaled 35 tackles, with a season-high six at LSU and against Georgia ... Got an interception vs. Georgia ... Caused two fumbles during the season ... Played in all 13 games, starting seven.

2005 (Freshman): Played in all 11 games as a reserve linebacker ... Totaled 14 tackles, with a season high of three vs. Louisville ... Had tackles for loss vs. Florida and Ole Miss ... Originally signed with Kentucky in Feb. 2004, he enrolled in Jan. 2005 as a "grayshirt."

High School: Second-team all-state as a senior in the highly competitive Florida Class AAAAA ranks ... Helped lead Fletcher HS of Neptune Beach, Fla., to a 12-2 record and a trip to the state semifinals, the finest season in school history ... Accumulated 89 tackles from his defensive end post, adding 15 quarterback sacks and three fumble recoveries ... Named All-First Coast, All-Metro Jacksonville, all-conference, and all-district ... Came on strong in his senior year after missing all but two games of his junior campaign because of injury ... Started at defensive end as a freshman and sophomore at Ribault HS in Jacksonville ... Projects as a linebacker on the collegiate level ... Coached at Fletcher by Joe Reynolds ... "Johnny is relentless," Reynolds said. "He was a great pass rusher for us, a fierce tackler, handles double-team blocking, and also runs well." ... A two-year letterman on the track and field team, competing in the shot put and discus ... Honor-roll student who was awarded the Ace Scholarship ... His recruiting finalists included Kentucky, Central Florida, Bowling Green, Clemson, and Georgia Tech.

Personal: Born in Tampa, Fla. ... Son of Johnny Lee Williams Sr. and Antoinette Williams ... Major is agricultural economics.

Community Cats: Served as a mentor at Johnson Elementary School (2006) ... Volunteer at the American Cancer Society Relay for Life and participated in an event at Bryan Station Middle School (2007) ... Took part in the UK Children's Hospital Valentine's Day party (2008).